Colonia del Sacramento Old Town

Founding of the city

Portuguese established Nova Colonia do Santissimo Sacramento (The New Colony of Blessed Sacrament) in 1680 when on a government mission here arrived Manuel Lobo with five ships and 300 men. The location of the town was strategically very important – it was intended as a foothold in Río de la Plata – a gate towards the mines of Peru and vast agricultural areas.

First fortifications were started on the small island of St. Gabriel some 3 km from present-day Colonia del Sacramento and 45 km from Spanish Buenos Aires.

This Portuguese initiative was seen as dangerous to Spanish interests in the region. In this same year, Spanish troops invaded St. Gabriel Island and drove out the Portuguese. Thus here started a long fight between Portuguese and Spaniards.

It may seem like a paradox, but rivalry fuelled the development of Buenos Aires and we can be sure – without Colonia del Sacramento Buenos Aires would be a different city today.

Portuguese rule

Portugal restarted the development of the city in the 1690s.

Spaniards destroyed the town in 1704 – 1705, during the War of Spanish Succession. Portuguese started to build the city again in 1715 and in 1718 there were living more than 1000 people.

Golden times of Colonia del Sacramento started in 1722, with the appointment of Antonio Pedro de Vasconcellos as Governor. He started the fast development of the city. Vasconcellos governed the city with much success and by 1750 it was well fortified and prosperous. In 1753 the skilled Portuguese military architect José Custódio de Sá e Faria designed improvements to fortifications.

In 1762 Spain took over the city, in 1763 it returned to Portugal but in 1777, after the siege, it became a Spanish city.

Spaniards and independence fights

As Spaniards took over, part of the fortifications and some buildings in the city were demolished, but otherwise there were no important visible changes. Settlers from Spain moved in and life continued.

In 1811 – 1828 city experienced fierce independence battles, involving Portuguese and Brazil. In 1839 – 1851 the new nation of Uruguay was in war with Argentina and Sacramento again was under siege and suffered.

Peace and conservation

Since the middle of the 19th century the political situation in Southern America stabilized and peace came to Uruguay.

In 1859 there were demolished the last fortifications and started a new era of development in the city. Now Colonia del Sacramento expanded beyond the old borders.

In meantime there developed a new centre of Uruguay – Montevideo. Colonia del Sacramento lost its metropolitan flair and became a silent provincial town, thus saving its historical architecture and urban fabric.

The heritage value of the city was first recognized in 1924. After several attempts to set up a conservation regime, in 1969 started well coordinated efforts of government to conserve the old city. Government developed a certain policy to obtain wanted land plots for the development of public services in the city, numerous reconstruction activities have taken place.

In 1995 the historical centre of city was included in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List and remains the only Uruguayan monument in this list.

Description

Planning

There is no similar city in this region of South America. Colonia del Sacramento merges the urban planning and architecture traditions of Portugal, Spain and their colonies. As the time went by, a distinct local tradition developed.

The city was developed on a tip of peninsula, protruding in Río de la Plata. City was surrounded by water from three sides. Fortifications were built across the peninsula – from north to south – along the present day Calle Ituzaingó.

Street network in the Old City (Barrio Histórico) developed according to the topography and did not follow the usual checkerboard pattern. Later parts of the city, outside the Old City, though follow the traditions of Spanish colonial planning.

Historical city contains 32 blocks and major part of historical buildings have been preserved in it. Here are located numerous historical buildings built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Some of these buildings are true palaces and many are simpler dwellings of artisans and shopkeepers.

Colonia del Sacramento has a charming townscape – everything here feels ancient – the cobblestone streets, old buildings, parks. Only the church and the lighthouse rise above the city, the original skyline is not disturbed by any other tall structure. Tourists love to take pictures of vintage cars, intentionally left on the streets.

Landmarks

In the city have been preserved many interesting monuments, including these:

• The City Gate with drawbridge – Portón de Campo.
• Calle de los Suspiros – Street of Sighs. A small street with a sight on sea. Beautiful scene of wonderful photographs showing urban grit.
• Iglesia Matriz – the oldest church in Uruguay, built in 1695 – 1699.
• Portuguese Museum – a museum of Purtuguese colonial culture, located in a building which was constructed in the 18th century.
• Casa del Virrey – Viceroy’s House, a reconstructed building.

In former centuries visitors from Buenos Aires did not bring much good here. Today the situation has changed – most tourists come here from Argentina. Colonia del Sacramento today is a romantic retreat, a blend of (now) romantic past and beautiful architecture.

References

1. Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento, Advisory Body Evaluation for the inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Accessed in 19.02.2012.